DOCSLIB.ORG

Notes on a Little Known Central African Reed Frog, Hyperolius Schoutedeni Laurent, 1943

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Notes on a Little Known Central African Reed Frog, Hyperolius Schoutedeni Laurent, 1943 Herpetology Notes, volume 12: 873-876 (2019) (published online on 14 August 2019) Notes on a little known Central African Reed Frog, Hyperolius schoutedeni Laurent, 1943 Abraham Bamba-Kaya1, Ange-Ghislain Zassi-Boulou2, Elie Tobi3, T. Danielle Hayes4, Daniel M. Portik5, David C. Blackburn4, and Gregory F. M. Jongsma4,* The genus Hyperolius is composed of colourful in WGS84). Laurent (1946) later reported additional treefrogs that are widely distributed across sub-Saharan male and female specimens from Buta and Monga in Africa. This large genus (>150 species) contains small northern DRC. In 1975, Arne Schiøtz collected the first to medium-sized frogs that are often similar in external records from Republic of the Congo in Nsele, Pool morphology yet highly variable in colouration and Department (-4.083°S, 15.050°E; Schiøtz, 2006). Inger pattern (Schiøtz, 1999; Portik et al., 2019). In addition, (1968) previously reported H. schoutedeni from similar species often display varying degrees of sexual size sites of marshes and ponds in Garamba National Park dimorphism and colour variation between the sexes in northeastern DRC. While H. schoutedeni is believed (sexual dichromatism; Bell and Zamudio, 2012). to be widespread across the Congo Basin (Laurent, Together, these patterns of variation make species 1950; Schiøtz, 2006; Figure 1), its resemblance to the identification notoriously difficult among many species congener H. cinnamomeoventris has led to uncertainty of hyperoliid frogs. For this reason, we have taken an in understanding its precise distribution. Based on its integrative approach to confirm any new geographic known distribution, H. schoutedeni likely also occurs records for this genus by combining morphology, in Central African Republic and southern Sudan (Frost, advertisement calls, and genetics (e.g., Portik et al., 2019). Despite its range and close proximity to Uganda, 2016; Jongsma et al., 2017). Here we report the first Schiøtz (1975, 2006) reported no evidence of any country record of Hyperolius schoutedeni from Gabon specimens from this country. and the second record for Republic of the Congo. In 2018, ABK, AGZB, ET, and GFMJ surveyed Hyperolius schoutedeni was described by Laurent amphibians at two sites on the Batéké Plateau in (1943) based on a single female specimen collected southeastern Gabon and central Republic of the Congo. by Dr. Henri Schouteden (1881–1972) in Kunungu in western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC; georeferenced to -2.100°S, 16.433°E; all localities given 1 Institut de Recherches Agronomiques et Forestières (IRAF), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique (CENAREST), BP 842, Libreville, Gabon. 2 Institut national de Recherche en Sciences Exactes et Naturelles (IRSEN), Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. 3 Gabon Biodiversity Program, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Gamba, Gabon. Figure 1. Map of known H. schoutedeni records. Squares 4 Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, denote published records, circles denote unpublished records. Gainesville, FL, USA. The type locality, Kununga, DRC, is represented by a star. The 5 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University IUCN distribution of H. schoutedeni is shown in translucent of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA. blue and H. cinnamomeoventris in translucent green (IUCN, * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] 2019). 874 Abraham Bamba-Kaya et al. On the evenings of 16 and 18 May 2018, they collected cinnomeomeoventris from Solonga National Park, DRC 10 H. schoutedeni from a flooded plain in Ejangoulou (Schick et al., 2010). According to Schiøtz (1999), H. Village, Plateaux Department, Haut-Ogooué Province, schoutedeni is distinguishable from the similar and Gabon (-1.4943°S, 14.4162°E). On 24 and 28 May 2018, syntopic H. cinnamomeoventris by lacking sexual they collected 7 individuals in large flooded savannahs dichromatism, meaning that females and males of near Lékéty Village, Cuvette Department, Republic of H. schoutedeni are similar in colour and pattern and the Congo (1.5734°S, 14.9477°E; 1.5858°S, 14.9290°E). resemble the male colouration of H. cinnamomeoventris At both sites, H. schoutedeni and H. cinnamomeoventris (Figure 2). In addition, H. schoutedeni is distinguishable were found at similar perch sites on grasses and reeds 10 by having a longitudinal stripe on the dorsal side – 100 cm above the water. Our collections represent the of the crus (i.e., the portion of the leg containing the first record of Hyperolius schoutedeni in Gabon and the tibiofibula), which differs from the uniform or darkly second record for Republic of the Congo. These extend spotted crus of H. cinnamomeoventris (Inger, 1968; the species distribution by ~250 km west of the nearest Schiøtz, 1999; Figure 2A, B). known locality in DRC. Inger (1968) reported that H. schoutedeni in life from Hyperolius schoutedeni is a small, beige reed frog with Garamba often have red spots on the dorsal surface of the yellow dorsolateral lines, and both sexes share this colour foot; however, this was not observed in any individuals pattern (Figure 2A). Female H. cinnamomeoventris are collected in 2018 (Gabon or Republic of the Congo) bright green in colouration and readily distinguishable nor was it noted by Schiøtz (2006) or Laurent (1943, from males (Figure 2B). Interestingly, the two female 1946). This may be a unique feature of the populations H. cinnamomeoventris encountered in Lékéty, Republic at the northeastern extent of the range of this species of the Congo were not green and instead appeared as these spots are not recorded in any other collection more like a larger version of the male form (Figure locality. In H. schoutedeni, adults and juveniles retain a 2B). Genetically, these individuals are closest to H. yellow mid-dorsal stripe that is outlined in black. Male Figure 2. Hyperolius cinnamomeoventris (top panel) and H. schoutedeni (bottom panel), highlighting distinguishable characters of these two species. Column A are males. Column B are females including typical females including a typical female H. cinnamomeoventris (green) from the type locality, Kalandula Falls, Angola (UF:Herp:185651) and an aberrant, non-dichromatic female from Republic of Congo. Column C contains photos of vocal sacs of the two species. Notes on a little known Central African Reed Frog 875 H. schoutedeni have a large and granular gular gland procedures for Qiagen DNeasy kits. Sequence data were that covers the entire space between the lower jaw obtained from the mitochondrial marker 16S ribosomal (Inger, 1968) in contrast to the smaller gular gland of RNA (16S) using primers 16SA-l and 16SB-h (Palumbi male H. cinnamomeoventris (Figure 2C). Hyperolius et al. 1991). We performed polymerase chain reactions balfouri, another savannah-specialist that was recently (PCRs) using 20ul volume consisting of: 2ul DNA discovered in Gabon (Jongsma et al., 2017) and also has and AmpliTaq Gold master mix. The amplification a large granular gular gland. However, this species lacks process for 16S was as follows: denaturation at 95°C the small black points that speckle the throat and gland for 10 minutes, then 35 cycles of 96°C for three of H. schoutedeni (Figure 2C). seconds, 54°C for three seconds, 68°C for 15 seconds, The advertisement call of H. schoutedeni is described and a final extension at 72°C for 10 seconds. We as a double-click (Schiøtz, 2006), which matches our checked the success of the PCR by performing a gel recording of a male frog in Gabon (UF:Herp:185889; electrophoresis before plating and sending the samples ML 236287; Figure 3A). Each pair of clicks in the call to Genewiz in Pennsylvania. To date, there have been of H. schoutedeni is spaced approximately 1.75 seconds no published DNA sequence data for H. schoutedeni. apart and is easily distinguishable from the quick series Using a Hyperoliidae database of >1,300 16S sequences of clicks emitted by H. cinnamomeoventris that are (Portik et al. 2019), we performed a BLAST search spaced about 0.2 seconds apart (Schiøtz, 1999; Figure and established that no individuals identified in the 3B). This distinct double-click is distinguishable from field as H. schoutedeni have high sequence similarity other savannah-specialists that could have overlapping to individuals of H. cinnamomeoventris. Instead, these distributions with Hyperolius schoutedeni, including are part of a clade H. schoutedeni with H. kivuensis, H. H. adspersus, H. balfouri, H. kivuensis, H. lateralis, balfouri, and H. quinquevittatus. A close relationship and H. viridiflavus. Recordings were made by GFMJ with H. kivuensis was previously suggested by Laurent on a Pixel phone (44 kHz sample rate) in the field and (1943, 1946), based on similarities of foot-webbing analysed using the R package seewave (R Core Team and the position of the nares. While clearly divergent 2018; Sueur et al., 2008). from H. cinnamomeoventris, robust geographic and Finally, we sequenced a fragment of the 16S taxonomic sampling of Hyperolius across Central mitochondrial gene of all specimens of Hyperolius Africa is needed to evaluate the phylogenetic affinities collecting during our work in Gabon and Republic of of H. schoutedeni. Congo. Genomic DNA was extracted following standard Figure 3: A) Advertisement call of H. schoutedeni (UF:Herp:185886) and (B) H. cinnamomeoventris (UF:Herp:185115). 876 Abraham Bamba-Kaya et al. The specimens used in this work are accessioned at the Laurent, R.F. (1943): Les Hyperolius (Batraciens) du Musée Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH, University Congo. Annales du Musée Royal du Congo Belge, Sciences of Florida), the Gabon Biodiversity Collection in Zoologiques 4: 61–140. Laurent, R. F. (1946): Note sur une petite collection de Megalixalus Gamba, and Institut national de Recherche en Sciences et d’Hyperolius de l’Uélé et sur Hylambates gresshoffii. Bulletin Exactes et Naturelles in Brazzaville. All 16S sequences du Musée Royal d’Histoire Naturelle de Belgique 22: 1–16. of H. schoutedeni and H. cinnamomeoventris from our Laurent, R.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Congolius, a New Genus of African Reed Frog Endemic to The
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Congolius, a new genus of African reed frog endemic to the central Congo: A potential case of convergent evolution Tadeáš Nečas1,2*, Gabriel Badjedjea3, Michal Vopálenský4 & Václav Gvoždík1,5* The reed frog genus Hyperolius (Afrobatrachia, Hyperoliidae) is a speciose genus containing over 140 species of mostly small to medium-sized frogs distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. Its high level of colour polymorphism, together with in anurans relatively rare sexual dichromatism, make systematic studies more difcult. As a result, the knowledge of the diversity and taxonomy of this genus is still limited. Hyperolius robustus known only from a handful of localities in rain forests of the central Congo Basin is one of the least known species. Here, we have used molecular methods for the frst time to study the phylogenetic position of this taxon, accompanied by an analysis of phenotype based on external (morphometric) and internal (osteological) morphological characters. Our phylogenetic results undoubtedly placed H. robustus out of Hyperolius into a common clade with sympatric Cryptothylax and West African Morerella. To prevent the uncovered paraphyly, we place H. robustus into a new genus, Congolius. The review of all available data suggests that the new genus is endemic to the central Congolian lowland rain forests. The analysis of phenotype underlined morphological similarity of the new genus to some Hyperolius species. This uniformity of body shape (including cranial shape) indicates that the two genera have either retained ancestral morphology or evolved through convergent evolution under similar ecological pressures in the African rain forests. African reed frogs, Hyperoliidae Laurent, 1943, are presently encompassing almost 230 species in 17 genera.
    [Show full text]
  • Herpetological Survey in the Volta Region, Eastern Ghana Mark-Oliver Rödel1 and Alex Cudjoe Agyei2
    Herpetological survey in the Volta region, Eastern Ghana Mark-Oliver Rödel1 and Alex Cudjoe Agyei2 1Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III); Biocenter of the University; Am Hubland; D-97074 Würzburg, Germany; 2Wildlife Division, P.B. M239, Accra, Ghana; [email protected] Herpetological survey in the Volta region, Eastern Ghana Mark-Oliver RÖDEL1 and Alex Cudjoe AGYEI2 1Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III); Biocenter of the University; Am Hubland; D-97074 Würzburg, Germany; 2Wildlife Division, P.B. M239, Accra, Ghana; [email protected] Contents 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2 2 Study sites ........................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Wli and Liati-Wote Waterfalls Region, Southeast of Hohoe....................................... 4 2.2 Kyabobo National Park, Shiare and Nkwanta.............................................................. 4 2.3 Apesokubi area and Northern Lake Volta.................................................................... 4 3 Sampling methods and sampling effort............................................................................... 5 4 Sampling efficiency............................................................................................................. 6 5 Species account: amphibians..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Amphibians of Marahoué and Mont Péko National Parks, Ivory Coast
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Herpetozoa Jahr/Year: 2003 Band/Volume: 16_1_2 Autor(en)/Author(s): Rödel Mark-Oliver, Ernst Raffael Artikel/Article: The amphibians of Marahoue and Mont Peko National Parks, Ivory Coast 23-39 ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at HERPETOZOA 16 (1/2): 23 - 39 23 Wien, 30. Juli 2003 The amphibians of Marahoué and Mont Péko National Parks, Ivory Coast Die Amphibien der Marahoué und Mont Péko Nationalparks, Elfenbeinküste MARK-OLIVER RODEL & RAFFAEL ERNST KURZFASSUNG Wir berichten über die Amphibien des Marahoué Nationalparks (MNP) und des Mont Péko Nationalparks (PNP), Elfenbeinküste. Beide Parks liegen in der Übergangszone zwischen Regenwald und Savanne. Der MNP umfaßt feuchte Savannenhabitate und halbimmergrüne Wälder. Der PNP besteht vorwiegend aus halbimmergrünen Wäldern, die größtenteils degradiert sind, sowie Savannenhabitaten auf Berggipfeln. Wir stellten in jedem der bei- den Parks das Vorkommen von 33 Anurenarten (insgesamt 47 Arten) fest und schätzen die Anzahl der zu erwar- tenden Arten auf 38 (MNP) bzw. 42 (PNP). Die Anurengemeinschaft des MNP ist der von Lamto, einem anderen Gebiet in der Guinea Savanne der Elfenbeinküste, sehr ähnlich, während die Anurengemeinschaft des PNP am ehe- sten der gestörter Wälder in der weiter südlich gelegenen Regenwaldzone entspricht Wir fassen alle nachgewiese- nen Arten und die untersuchten Lebensräume zusammen und machen Angaben zur Taxonomie und Biologie von fünf Arten: Hemisus cf. guineensis, Phrynobatrachus sp., Ptychadena cf. schillukorum, Astylosternus sp. und Hyperolius lamottei. ABSTRACT We report on the amphibian fauna of Marahoué National Park (MNP) and Mont Péko National Park (PNP), Ivory Coast.
    [Show full text]
  • Vital but Vulnerable: Climate Change Vulnerability and Human Use of Wildlife in Africa’S Albertine Rift
    Vital but vulnerable: Climate change vulnerability and human use of wildlife in Africa’s Albertine Rift J.A. Carr, W.E. Outhwaite, G.L. Goodman, T.E.E. Oldfield and W.B. Foden Occasional Paper for the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 48 The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN or the compilers concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or other participating organizations. Published by: IUCN, Gland, Switzerland Copyright: © 2013 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation: Carr, J.A., Outhwaite, W.E., Goodman, G.L., Oldfield, T.E.E. and Foden, W.B. 2013. Vital but vulnerable: Climate change vulnerability and human use of wildlife in Africa’s Albertine Rift. Occasional Paper of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 48. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. xii + 224pp. ISBN: 978-2-8317-1591-9 Front cover: A Burundian fisherman makes a good catch. © R. Allgayer and A. Sapoli. Back cover: © T. Knowles Available from: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Publications Services Rue Mauverney 28 1196 Gland Switzerland Tel +41 22 999 0000 Fax +41 22 999 0020 [email protected] www.iucn.org/publications Also available at http://www.iucn.org/dbtw-wpd/edocs/SSC-OP-048.pdf About IUCN IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.
    [Show full text]
  • Reptiles & Amphibians
    AWF FOUR CORNERS TBNRM PROJECT : REVIEWS OF EXISTING BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION i Published for The African Wildlife Foundation's FOUR CORNERS TBNRM PROJECT by THE ZAMBEZI SOCIETY and THE BIODIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR AFRICA 2004 PARTNERS IN BIODIVERSITY The Zambezi Society The Biodiversity Foundation for Africa P O Box HG774 P O Box FM730 Highlands Famona Harare Bulawayo Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Tel: +263 4 747002-5 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.biodiversityfoundation.org Website : www.zamsoc.org The Zambezi Society and The Biodiversity Foundation for Africa are working as partners within the African Wildlife Foundation's Four Corners TBNRM project. The Biodiversity Foundation for Africa is responsible for acquiring technical information on the biodiversity of the project area. The Zambezi Society will be interpreting this information into user-friendly formats for stakeholders in the Four Corners area, and then disseminating it to these stakeholders. THE BIODIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR AFRICA (BFA is a non-profit making Trust, formed in Bulawayo in 1992 by a group of concerned scientists and environmentalists. Individual BFA members have expertise in biological groups including plants, vegetation, mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, aquatic invertebrates and ecosystems. The major objective of the BFA is to undertake biological research into the biodiversity of sub-Saharan Africa, and to make the resulting information more accessible. Towards this end it provides technical, ecological and biosystematic expertise. THE ZAMBEZI SOCIETY was established in 1982. Its goals include the conservation of biological diversity and wilderness in the Zambezi Basin through the application of sustainable, scientifically sound natural resource management strategies.
    [Show full text]
  • BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN for PICKERSGILL's REED FROG (Hyperolius Pickersgilli)
    BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR PICKERSGILL’S REED FROG ( Hyperolius pickersgilli ) Photo: Sam Phillips 9/5/2013 Background Information for Stakeholder Workshop Biodiversity Management Plan for Pickersgill’s Reed Frog: Background Information for Stakeholders Workshop Jointly developed by Dr. Jeanne Tarrant (Endangered Wildlife Trust) and Dr. Adrian Armstrong (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) Tarrant1, J. and Armstrong, A.J. 2 1 Threatened Amphibian Programme Manager, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Private Bag X11, Modderfontein, 1645, South Africa. 2Biodiversity Research & Assessment, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, P.O. Box 13053, 3202, Cascades, South Africa. DATE: 26 AUGUST 2013 Pickersgill’s Reed Frog from Mtunzini, Forest Lodge. Page 1 Biodiversity Management Plan for Pickersgill’s Reed Frog: Background Information for Stakeholders Workshop Biodiversity Management Plan for Pickersgill’s Reed Frog: Background Information for Stakeholders Workshop BACKGROUND INFORMATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Pickersgill’s Reed Frog ( Hyperolius pickersgilli ) (hereafter PRF) is a small hyperoliid frog known only from specialised wetland habitat in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. This is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN and species with this assessment are defined as having an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. In addition, it has recently (2013) been provisionally listed in terms of section 56(1) of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) as a Threatened or Protected species (TOPS). Section 43 of NEMBA provides for the drafting of a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for an indigenous species listed in terms of section 56 of the Act or for an indigenous species which is not listed in terms of section 56 but which does warrant special conservation attention.
    [Show full text]
  • Southern African Frogs
    AFRICAN SNAKEBITE INSTITUTE – Johan Marais Checklist: Southern African Frogs Scientific Name Common Name Afrikaans Common Name Afrixalus aureus Golden Leaf-folding Frog Goueblaarvoupadda Afrixalus crotalus Snoring Leaf-folding Frog Snorkblaarvoupadda Afrixalus delicatus Delicate Leaf-folding Frog Delikate Blaarvoupadda Afrixalus fornasinii Greater Leaf-folding Frog Grootblaarvoupadda Afrixalus knysnae Knysna Leaf-folding Frog Knysna-blaarvoupadda Afrixalus spinifrons Natal Leaf-folding Frog Natalse Blaarvoupadda Amietia fuscigula Cape River Frog Kaapse Rivierpadda Amietia inyangae Inyanga River Frog Inyanga-rivierpadda Amietia poyntoni Poynton’s River Frog Poynton se Rivierpadda Amietia quecketti Queckett’s River Frog Queckett se Rivierpadda Amietia umbraculata Maluti River Frog Maluti Rivierpadda Amietia vandijki Van Dijk's River Frog Van Dijk se Rivierpadda Amietia vertebralis Phofung River Frog Phofung Rivierpadda Amietophrynus garmani Eastern Olive Toad Olyfskurwepadda Amietophrynus gutturalis Guttural Toad Gorrelskurwepadda Amietophrynus lemairii Lemaire's Toad Lemaire se Skurwepadda Amietophrynus maculatus Flat-backed Toad Gestreepte Skurwepadda Amietophrynus pantherinus Western Leopard Toad Westelike Luiperdskurwepadda Amietophrynus pardalis Eastern Leopard Toad Oostelike Luiperdskurwepadda Amietophrynus poweri Western Olive Toad Power se Skurwepadda Amietophrynus rangeri Raucous Toad Lawaaiskurwepadda Anhydrophryne hewitti Natal Chirping Frog Natalse Kwetterpadda Anhydrophryne ngongoniensis Mistbelt Chirping Frog Misbeltkwetterpadda
    [Show full text]
  • Adaptations of the Reed Frog Hyperolius Yiridibayus (Amphibia: Anura: Hyperoliidae) to Its Arid Environment
    J Comp Physiol B (1992) 162:314-326 Joumalof " Biochemical, Compa rat lYe :~:~:';'n­ Physiology B =Iogy © Springer-Verlag 1992 Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperolius yiridiBayus (Amphibia: Anura: Hyperoliidae) to its arid environment VI. The iridophores in the skin as radiation reflectors F. Kobelt and K.E. Linsenmair* Zoologisches Institut HI, Biozentrum, Am Hubland, W-8700 Wiirzburg, FRG Accepted November 26, 1991 Summary. Hyperolius viridiflavus possesses one complete Introduction layer ofiridophores in the stratum spongiosum of its skin at about 8 days after metamorphosis. The high reflec­ Members of the "super" species Hyperolius viridiflavus tance of this thin layer is almost certainly the result of (Schi0tz 1971) inhabit seasonally very hot and dry Afri­ multilayer interference reflection. In order to reflect a can savannas. During dry seasons, these small reed frogs mean of about 35% of the incident radiation across a aestivate unhidden mostly on dry plants. Some aspects spectrum of 300-2900 nm only 30 layers of well-arranged of their water and energy economy and of nitrogen me­ crystals are required, resulting in a layer 10.5 ~m thick. tabolism have been reported in Geise and Linsenmair These theoretical values are in good agreement with (1986, 1988), Schmuck and Linsenmair (1988) and the actual mean diameter of single iridophores Schmuck et al. (1988). (15.0 ± 3.0 ~m), the number of stacked platelets (40-100) As indicated by the "climate space" parameters (Gates and the measured reflectance of one complete layer of 1980), in dry seasons a skin reflectance higher than 0.7 these cells (32.2 ± 2.3 %).
    [Show full text]
  • Herpetological Journal FULL PAPER
    Volume 27 (January 2017), 13–24 Herpetological Journal FULL PAPER Published by the British A new, narrowly distributed, and critically endangered Herpetological Society species of spiny-throated reed frog (Anura: Hyperoliidae) from a highly threatened coastal forest reserve in Tanzania Christopher D. Barratt1, Lucinda P. Lawson2,3,4, Gabriela B. Bittencourt-Silva1, Nike Doggart5, Theron Morgan-Brown5, Peter Nagel1 & Simon P. Loader1,6 1University of Basel, Biogeography Research Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Basel 4056, Switzerland 2Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago, 1025 E. 57th St. Culver Hall 402. Chicago, IL 60637, USA 3Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605, USA 4University of Cincinnati, 614 Rieveschl Hall. Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA 5Tanzania Forest Conservation Group, PO Box 23410, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 6 University of Roehampton, SW15 4JD, Holybourne Avenue, London, UK Amphibians are in decline globally due to increasing anthropogenic changes, and many species are at risk of extinction even before they are formally recognised. The Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa is a hotspot of amphibian diversity but is threatened by recent land use changes. Based on specimens collected in 2001 we identify a new species from the coastal forests of Tanzania. The new species belongs to the spiny-throated reed frog complex that comprises a number of morphologically similar species with highly fragmented populations across the Eastern Afromontane Region, an adjacent biodiversity hotspot comprising of numerous isolated montane forests. The new species is the first coastal forest member of this otherwise montane clade. We formally describe this species, assess its distribution and conservation threat, and provide a revised key to species of the spiny- throated reed frog complex.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of Hyperolius Rapp, 1842 (Anura: Hyperoliidae) from the Serra Da Chela Mountains, South-Western Angola
    TERMS OF USE This pdf is provided by Magnolia Press for private/research use. Commercial sale or deposition in a public library or website is prohibited. Zootaxa 3269: 1–17 (2012) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2012 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) A new species of Hyperolius Rapp, 1842 (Anura: Hyperoliidae) from the Serra da Chela mountains, south-western Angola WERNER CONRADIE1, 2, 7, WILLIAM R. BRANCH1, 3, G. JOHN MEASEY 4,5 & KRYSTAL A. TOLLEY 4,6. 1Port Elizabeth Museum, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood 6013, South Africa 2South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015. Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa 3Department of Zoology, P.O. Box 77000, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa 4Applied Biodiversity Research Division, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X7, Claremont 7735, Cape Town, South Africa 5School of Environmental Sciences and Development, North-West University, Private bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa 6 Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa 7Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract A new species of African reed frog (genus Hyperolius Rapp, 1842) is described from a high altitude, forested gorge in the Serra da Chela mountain range near the village of Humpata, Lubango area, Huila Province, south-western Angola. It is currently only known from its type locality. Phylogenetic reconstruction using the mitochondrial 16S marker reveals that it is the sister taxon of the poorly known Hyperolius cinereus (>4% sequence divergence) also described from Angola, and forms part of a larger clade comprising H.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of the Taxonomy of the Hyperolius Viridifla Vus Complex
    HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 8, pp. 29-34 (1998) A REVIEW OF THE TAXONOMY OF THE HYPER OLIUS VIR IDIFLA VUS COMPLEX ANJA M. WIECZOREK1 , ALAN CHANNING1 AND ROBERT C . 0REWES2 1Department of Biochemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag Xl 7, Bellville 7535, South Africa 2Department of Herpetology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California 94118, USA This paper reviews the problematic taxonomy of the superspecies Hyperolius viridiflavus (the senior synonym of H. marmoratus) (Anura: Hyperoliidae). The classifications proposed by various authors forthe complex are summarized and compared. Significant diffe rences in classification have resulted in the complex being divided into as few as three species (with numerous subspecies) or as many as 18 species (with a number of subspecies).The review shows that the taxonomy of this complex has not been resolved, as a consequence of dependence on the use of dorsal colour patterns as diagnostic characters. Colour pattern is polymorphic within taxa, and shows both geographical as well as non-geographical variation. Recent work has shown molecular techniques to be a valuable means of distinguishing taxa previously considered to be subspecies. It is proposed that the use of molecular techniques and phylogenetic analysis of these data is the most suitable means of resolving the taxonomy of the members of this complex. INTRODUCTION posed a split into two families, theHyper oliidae and the The Old World tree frogs of the family Hyperoliidae Ranidae. Liem (1970) recognized two fam ilies: the are a diverse and colourful group, found throughout Hyperoliidae and the Rhacophoridae, believing them to much of Africa and the islands of Madagascar and the be diphyletically derived from primitive ranoids.
    [Show full text]
  • The Diversity and Evolution of Amphibia: What Are They and Where Did They Come From?
    The diversity and evolution of Amphibia: What are they and where did they come from? Lecture goal To familiarize students with characteristics of the Class Amphibia, the diversity of extant amphibians, and the fossil record of amphibians. Reading assignments: Wells: pp. 1-15, 41-58, 65-74, 77-80 Supplemental readings on amphibian taxa: Wells: pp. 16-41, 59-65, 75-77 Lecture roadmap Characteristics of amphibians Extant amphibian orders Characteristics of amphibian orders and diversity Amphibian fossil record and evolution 1 What are amphibians? These foul and loathsome animals are abhorrent because of their cold body, pale color, cartilaginous skeleton, filthy skin, fierce aspect, calculating eye, offensive smell, harsh voice, squalid habitation, and terrible venom; and so their Creator has not exerted his powers to make many of them. Carl von Linne (Linnaeus) Systema Naturae (1758) What are amphibians? Ectothermic tetrapods that have a biphasic life cycle consisting of anamniotic eggs (often aquatic) and a terrestrial adult stage. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Amphibia (amphibios: “double life”) Subclass: Lissamphibia Orders: •Anura (frogs) •Caudata (salamanders) •Gymnophiona (caecilians) Amphibia characteristics 1) Cutaneous respiration Oxygen and CO2 Transfer Family Plethodontidae Plethodon dorsalis Gills (larvae, few adult salamanders), 2 Lungs (adults) 2) Skin glands Mucous glands Granular glands 2 Amphibia characteristics 3) Modifications of middle and inner ear Middle ear consists of 2 elements
    [Show full text]